Politics in Nigeria has always been perceived as a path for men, perhaps because of the ruggedity required. However, there are seven female politicians who went against the odds, and manage to get themselves a place at the Nigerian Senate.
The upper chamber of the National Assembly comprises 109 Senators elected from different districts across the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The 9th Senate, which will resume on the 29th of May, 2019, will include the following women impact makers.
Watch their video below:
Stella Oduah
Stella Oduah, popularly called “the mother of Anambra,” used to be the Minister of Aviation under former president, Goodluck Jonathan. She came into the Senate for the first time in 2015, and has earned herself another four years to represent Anambra North Senatorial District. Oodua contested under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)/
The Senator has a Bachelors and MBA in. Accounting, working with the NNPC since 1983. She is known for her various legislative contributions including South East Development Commission bill, Data protection bill, and Federal University of Aquatic Studies Bill.
Rose Oko
Oko is the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). She has once served as a Commissioner for Education in her home state, National Commissioner of the defunct National Electoral Commission, and member of House of Representatives.
She earned a Ph.D in Linguistics. Rose Oko, who is coming into the Senate for the second time, has been at the forefront of women advocacy, gender quality, conflict resolution and human rights.
Oluremi Tinubu
Oluremi Tinubu is the wife of a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. She will be representing Lagos Central at the Senate for the third time, as a member of the All Progressives Congress.
The former Lagos First Lady has Bachelor of Education in Botany, and Zoology. Aside from being the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment, she has championed the Chartered Institute of Environmental Practitioners Bill, National Oil Spill Detection Response Agency Amendment Bill, and Women and Children welfare Bill.
Aishatu Dahiru
Dahiru is a newly elected Senator who will be representing Adamawa Central at the Ninth Senate. She contested as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress.
She used to be a member of the House of Representative as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). where she chaired the House Committee on Constituency Outreach. Dahiru had her Higher National Diploma in Electoral Electronics Engineering.
Uche Ekwunife
Ekwunife will be representing Anambra Central at the ninth Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In her first tenure at the Senate, she chaired the Senate Committee on Petroleum, and introduced the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria Bill. She is a successful former banker with MBA Accounting.
Betty Apiafi
The three-time member of the House of Representatives has again earned the trust of electorates in Rivers West Senatorial District to represent them at the Senate. She chaired the Committee on Health Institutions, and formulated the Food and Drugs Amendment Act during her time at the House.
Apiafi is a former banker, and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Akon Eyakenyi
Eyakenyi is among the newcomers at the ninth Senate, after her election to represent Akwa-Ibom South Senatorial District under the PDP. She is a former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, and the current chairperson, Governing Council of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic.
She has a PhD in Curriculum Education, which has earned her impressive feats as an educationist. From being a headmistress, she was appointed to supervise Education, Sports, Culture, and Youth in her state. Eyankeyi also used to be the Chairperson, Akwa Ibom State Technical Schools Board.
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